Episode 150 - Bridge to the Sun

Gwen Terasaki’s 1957 autobiography is the basis for “Bridge to the Sun” 1961. Director Etienne Perier creates a realistic film of the marriage and life of Gwen Harold from Tennessee and Hidenari Terasaki a Japanese diplomat stationed in Washington, D.C. Against the advise of several people Gwen and Hidenari marry in 1935. They have a daughter Mako. Following the 1941 attack at Pearl Harbor. Japanese and U.S. diplomatic staffs are exchanged. Gwen with Mako decides to go to Japan and be reunited with Hidenari. The film follows the Terasaki’s life during and after the war years in Japan. The film provides a portrayal of political intrigue and distrust, death of family and friends, life at a subsistence level, the love between Gwen and Hidenari and their concern for Mako. The war takes a toll on everyone especially Hidenari. Carroll Baker plays Gwen Terasaki, James Shigeta as Hidenari Terasaki, Mako played by Emi Florence Hirsch and other cast members make for a powerful movie about interracial marriage and the war.